Metro East Sun

City of Belleville Streets & Grades Committee met Nov. 18

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

CHAIRMAN MEMBERS  IN ATTENDANCE 

Chairman, Alderperson Kent Randle, Ward 3 

Alderperson Lillian Schneider, Ward 1 

Alderperson Carmen Duco, Ward 2 

Alderperson Raffi Ovian, Ward 4 

Alderperson Ed Dintelman, Ward 5 

Alderperson Chris Rothweiler, Ward 6 

Alderperson Dennis Weygandt, Ward 7 

ABSENT/EXCUSED Alderperson Nora Sullivan, Ward 8 

STAFF

Scott Saeger, City Engineer 

Jason Poole, Public Works Director 

Rene Thompson, Engineering Secretary

Mayor Gregory 

GUEST/ALDERMEN

Travis Helmkamp, Oates Associates 

Jody Shaw, Oates Associates 

Brandon Beckemeyer, Oates Associates 

PUBLIC ATTENDING 

Chairman Alderperson Randle called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. 

Public Participation 

(01:23) No Public Participation. 

Approval of Minutes 

(01:31) Alderperson Weygandt made a motion to approve the minutes from October 21, 2024. Alderperson Ovian seconded the motion. All members were in favor by voting aye. 

Director of Public Works 

(01:52) Jason gave an overview of the Public Works Dept. 

The Street Dept. Plow Trucks are being prepared for the winter season. 7 are ready and 4 trucks are being prepared for alternative use for plow/ice removal. 

2 trucks in the Parks Dept. are ready for the season. These trucks are used for the Fire Dept. and Police Dept. 

The Salt Barns are full. 

Christkindlmarkt has been set up and decorations are being installed. 

Lighted decorations on the streetlights have been installed along East and West Main St. The bulbs on the wreaths have been tested and/or replaced as needed, prior to being installed. We make sure all the lights are functioning prior to being placed on the light poles. 

The fountain decorations will be installed around the fountain this Friday, with the help of the Optimist Club. 

Christmas Parade is scheduled for Friday, November 29th. 

Jason encourages the Alderpersons to contact him if there are any additional concerns. 

(3:49) Alderperson Rothweiler asks Jason if the wreaths are the old ones. Jason answers, yes, some are 4 or 5 years old. 

(4:10) Mayor Gregory asks Jason how many is needed for them all to match. Jason answers, he would like to add more to W. Main St., but that would require outlets to be added to the poles. I do not have an exact total. 

(4:56) Alderperson Rothweiler asks if the wreaths are the incandescent lights. Jason answers, no, some are LED. We have re-lamped quite a few of them. 

(5:09) Mayor Gregory adds the new white ones were bought by an anonymous doner. Jason comments, correct and they are all LED. 

New Business 

1. ADA Transition Plan Final Review and Introduction of Multi Modal Draft Plan 

(5:50) Motion to recommend approval of the ADA Transition Plan following a brief presentation by Travis Helmkamp, PE ADAC, Oates Associates. 

Alderperson Dintelman made a motion to approve the ADA Transition Plan with Oates Associates. Alderperson Weygandt seconded the motion. Following discussion, members voted aye in a roll call vote: Schneider, Duco, Ovian, Dintelman, Rothweiler, Weygandt, Randle. Motion carries. 

2. 116 S. Charles St. Retaining Wall Stabilization 

(39:44) Motion to approve Helitech in the amount of $30,526.00 to improve the retaining wall behind 116 S. Charles St. (ARPA Funds) 

Alderperson Rothweiler made a motion to approve Helitech in the amount of $30,526.00 to improve the retaining wall behind 116 S. Charles St. Alderperson Schneider seconded the motion. Members voted aye in a roll call vote: Schneider, Duco, Ovian, Dintelman, Rothweiler, Weygandt, Randle. Motion carries. 

3. TIF 12 Alleyway Resurfacing 

(40:51) Motion to enter into an agreement with Oates Associates in the amount of $9,900.00 for Professional Engineering Services for the improvements of TIF 12 Alleyways. (TIF 12 Funds) Alderperson Weygandt made a motion to enter into an agreement with Oates Associates in the amount of $9,900.00 for Professional Engineering Services for the improvements of TIF 12 Alleyways. Alderperson Schneider seconded the motion. 

Members voted aye in a roll call vote: Schneider, Duco, Ovian, Dintelman, Rothweiler, Weygandt, Randle. Motion carries. 

4. Lucinda Ave STP Grant Application 

(40:51) Motion to enter into an agreement with Lochmueller Group in the amount of $8,000.00 for an STP Grant Application. (General Funds) 

Alderperson Dintelman made a motion to enter into an agreement with Lochmueller Group in the amount of $8,000.00 for an STP Grant Application. Alderperson Schneider seconded the motion. Following discussion, members voted aye in a roll call vote: Schneider, Duco, Ovian, Dintelman, Rothweiler, Weygandt, Randle. Motion carries. 

5. Public Works vehicle to sell/scrap/dispose 

(44:10) Motion to sell/scrap/dispose of a 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan, VIN # 2D4GP44L56R898909 Alderperson Weygandt made a motion to sell/scrap/dispose of a 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan, VIN # 2D4GP44L56R898909. Alderperson Schneider seconded the motion. 

All members were in favor by voting aye. 

Old Business 

None 

Miscellaneous/Aldermanic Discussion 

1. Freeburg Ave. Roundabout 

(45:17) Review of funding sources and total budget, with discussion of moving forward. 

Scott gave an overview of the funds, explaining if there is consensus from the board to move forward with this roundabout project, funds are available. 

Scott explains he has been in contact with Kaskaskia Engineering regarding the cost. They stated if there are no changes required by the state when the plans are submitted for review, there would not be any additional cost requests for the design. However, Kaskaskia does expect to have an increase of 2 to 4% in 2025. 

We do need to request CMAQ Grant Funds, from the county that are available. With budgeting funds quickly approaching, we need to decide if this project is moving forward. 

Following discussion, Chairman Alderperson Randle requests a show of hands, to move forward with the project. 5 out of 8 members approve of moving ahead with the project. 

2. East B St. at North Belt East 

(50:57) Alderpersons request for Traffic Signals on E B St. at North Belt East to be reprogrammed to function as a split phase. Alderperson request for intersection to be repaved. 

Scott gave an overview, explaining Alderperson Schneider has requested for the signals to be reprogrammed to function as a split phase due to the number of accidents at this intersection. Split Phasing is when traffic in one direction is given the green light to go through the intersection or to turn left. Once vehicles are through the intersection, that direction is given the red light, and the opposite direction is given the green light to go through and to turn. Alderperson Schneider states she has witnessed some accidents in this intersection and believes the split phase would work better. 

IDOT states the hardware at the signal could be reprogrammed to allow split phase. Additional signage may be needed. This will slow down traffic. Right now traffic has to yield as making left turns at the intersection, so drivers may turn when no one is traveling the opposite direction but E B Street does not have a whole lot of traffic. 

(53:41) Chairman Randle requests confirmation from Scott, IDOT states this can be done. Scott answers yes. 

Chairman Randle requests Scott to confirm the resurfacing of the intersection would be done on both sides of E B St. Scott agrees. This has become a major expense with an estimate of $255,000.00 due to the ADA upgrade requirements at the intersection. 

Alderperson Rothweiler explains the resurfacing is needed. The pavement is busted and the detector loops cycle continuously, not working correctly. 

Chairman Randle explains there is more to be worked out with the budget. 

Adjournment 

(54:35) A motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Alderperson Schneider at approximately 6:54 p.m. Alderperson Duco seconded the motion. All members voted eye. Motion carried. 

https://www.belleville.net/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_11182024-3370